The Pocket
Quick info
About The Pocket
On Canonbury Lane in London, The Pocket is a pub built around stripped wooden floors and traditional furnishings, with a bar counter area and separate tables for conversation. A record player supplies vinyl records instead of speaker music, keeping the room suited to quiet conversation. Cask ale runs to around eight or nine pumps, alongside keg ales and ciders, and bar snacks include sausage rolls with mustard, pork pies, Cornish pasties, and pickled eggs. The pub takes walk-ins rather than reservations. It sits within walking distance of Union Chapel and Islington Assembly Hall, near Highbury and Islington Station.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingUsually difficult to find a space
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sausage rolls, cask ale selection, record player playing vinyl and pickled eggs and pork pies.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sausage rolls, cask ale selection, record player playing vinyl and pickled eggs and pork pies.
Customer Review Summary
The beer selection dominates every account, with reviewers repeatedly praising the cask ales and kegs, from a standout pint of Mighty Oak Oscar Wild to a smooth pale ale and a coffee porter, plus a "delicious Mild" one visitor calls a bonus. Close behind, the limited bar snacks earn steady approval, especially the sausage rolls, described as flaky with mustard, alongside pork pies, pasties, and pickled eggs, though several note this is "not really a food establishment." The old vinyl record player and stripped wooden floors come up often as part of the traditional, no-music-needed atmosphere for conversation. Staff are consistently called friendly and professional, and the toilets are repeatedly singled out as clean despite the pub's old-school look. One visitor found the house white wine "could be colder," and another, unused to London prices, found the food "a bit on the pricey side." Multiple reviewers say they intend to return.
Customer Review Summary
The beer selection dominates every account, with reviewers repeatedly praising the cask ales and kegs, from a standout pint of Mighty Oak Oscar Wild to a smooth pale ale and a coffee porter, plus a "delicious Mild" one visitor calls a bonus. Close behind, the limited bar snacks earn steady approval, especially the sausage rolls, described as flaky with mustard, alongside pork pies, pasties, and pickled eggs, though several note this is "not really a food establishment." The old vinyl record player and stripped wooden floors come up often as part of the traditional, no-music-needed atmosphere for conversation. Staff are consistently called friendly and professional, and the toilets are repeatedly singled out as clean despite the pub's old-school look. One visitor found the house white wine "could be colder," and another, unused to London prices, found the food "a bit on the pricey side." Multiple reviewers say they intend to return.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Such a great spot! Very friendly service, and I'm always amazed by their beer selection! Cheers 🍺”
- Google user
“Not a big fan of the sister pub The Southampton Arms (albeit on very few visits) but I really liked The Pocket. Like many of the new wave of London pubs which have appeared over the last few The Pocket has a great mix of very well kept cask and keg beers, good prices and the correct amount of food for a pub ie snacks, pies, pickled eggs, sausage rolls. Staff are very friendly and professional. Bogs are clean! Bonus points for having a delicious Mild on.”
- Google user
“Wow. What a pub. Very very cool. Record player. Tons of beers. Nice people. Great boozer.”
- Google user
“If you like your real ales and ciders, this is a little gem. Just off Upper Street and on our visit, a little haven from the throngs of football fans massing for the Champions League final. Stripperd wooden floor and furnishings,. No music, which makes it great for a relaxed pint or three with easy conversation. Beer prices are good for the area.”
- Google user
“Wow great find 😀 The Pocket pub close enough to the Union Chapel 😀 A wonderful selection of beers and ciders. I tried the mild choice of two and tasted both 😀 Settled the Mighty Oak Oscar Wild which was a really great pint.🍺 Loved the old vinyl records playing on the record player😀👏👏 House white wine good but could be colder 😟🤣 Toilets like the whole place old but clean and reflect the whole ethos of the place 😀😀 If I lived near by would be my local. Can’t say better than that 😀 Highly recommended 😀🏴”
Highlights
- Great beer selection
Amenities
- Dine-in
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Food
Show more amenities
- Restroom
- Trendy
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Offerings· 3
- Alcohol
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Highlights· 1
- Great beer selection
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
Location
Bars near The Pocket
- 0.2 mi£10–20
upstairs theatre performances, well-kept pints, match-day pub atmosphere
- The Marquess Tavern4.38580.3 miWheelchair accessible
sunday roast, yorkshire pudding missing, wine selection
- The Haggerston4.07411.2 miReservationsOutdoor seating
alan weekes jazz quintet, beer selection, aggressive door security
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Pocket | 4.8254 | — | £10–20 | sausage rolls, cask ale selection, record player playing vinyl |
| The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar | 4.5776 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | upstairs theatre performances, well-kept pints, match-day pub atmosphere |
| The Marquess TavernWheelchair accessible | 4.3858 | 0.3 mi | — | sunday roast, yorkshire pudding missing, wine selection |
| The HaggerstonReservations · Outdoor seating | 4.0741 | 1.2 mi | — | alan weekes jazz quintet, beer selection, aggressive door security |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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